Doctor’s Lab

Donna Poimboeuf, owner of Doctor’s Lab, was always interested in science. “I went into the health field because it always came naturally to me, it was interesting, and there was security in it,” she said.”I was originally pre-med, but decided though I liked the idea of being in the medical field, I wanted to stay more behind the scenes.” She attended college at Texas Tech University, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology with a double minor in biology and chemistry. “I did my Clinical Scientist training at the University of Texas at Tyler, Health Sciences Center. I then began my career in Tyler, Texas at Trinity Mother Francis Regional Health Center where I became evening, night and weekend supervisor,” she said. Doctor’s Lab started out as a small, family run business. “In 1987, my husband, Cliff, established Doctors Lab, which is an independent clinical laboratory. In 1989 after Cliff and I met, I accepted a position in the Department of Surgery at LSU Health Sciences Center and moved to Shreveport. I was performing histocompatibility testing and tissue typing in the organ transplant laboratory and I also worked briefly in the trauma laboratory located within the trauma center at LSUHSC,” she said. At the time, Cliff also worked at LSUHSC as Coordinator of Forensic Urine Drug Testing and operated an independent clinical laboratory named Doctors Lab that he established in 1987. “The lab was located in the back of his father’s family medicine clinic in Pleasant Hill. At the time, Doctors Lab served one physician and one nursing home,” Poimboeuf explained. “In 1999, I acquired Doctors Lab after Cliff opened a Rural Health Clinic in Pleasant Hill. My vision was to take Doctors Lab to another level by providing laboratory services to nursing homes, and today we service over 50 nursing homes in northwest Louisiana, all within 200 miles of Pleasant Hill, where the lab is still located. We also provide laboratory services to private individuals. We have an office and drug testing collection center in Shreveport located at 9445 Stevens Road, Suite 110.” As medical guidelines and regulations continue to change they are always looking for opportunities to grow and diversify. “We are fortunate to see gains in our business as a result of providing not only excellent lab services but also the client support that is required in this demanding market,” she said. To meet those needs, Doctor’s Lab is currently in the process of expanding their services in the Shreveport/ Bossier City and North Louisiana area.

Poimboeuf is a member of professional organizations such as the American Society of Clinical Pathologist, the Clinical Laboratory Managers Association, the American Association of Clinical Chemistry the Louisiana Nursing Home Association and is licensed by the American Society of Clinical Pathologist and the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners. Poimboeuf is a member of the First United Methodist Church in Shreveport. She has served on several committees and her faith is a very important part of her life. Owning your own business can consume all of your time, but Poimboeuf still manages to be a prominent part of many organizations around town. “In the community I am on the Board of Directors of the American Red Cross. I am Active member of Shreveport Regional Arts Council where I’m on the Board of Directors of Artspace, and I am the 2014 Chairman of Christmas in the Sky and was Co-Chairman of the event for 2012 and 2010,” she said. “I love it because I’m such a left-brained person, and this allows me to get into my artsy side. I love working with Artspace and the Arts Council so much, and Christmas in the Sky is one of those things you can’t adequately describe- you just have to attend!” She is also involved in Mardi Gras in the area. “I currently serve on several committees for the Krewe of Gemini, and I’m a past Board of Directors member and I served as Duchess of Texas and Queen Gemini XXI.” Not only is she highly involved in many volunteering positions, she also is a past Alderman and Mayor-pro tem of the Village of Pleasant Hill. In her spare time, she loves being with her husband and daughter Grace who is a freshman at Loyola Prep, and also enjoys playing tennis. Having been a business owner for several years, Poimboeuf offers some sage advice for someone looking to break out on their own. “Never say no unless you completely understand why it can’t be done. I think how you approach obstacles is a big part of being successful. You can’t give up,” she said. “Even in my field, which is replete with laboratory women, it’s rare to find a woman owned and operated laboratory located in a very rural area. There’s no way I would be where I am today if I didn’t have tremendous support from my husband, as well as female friends of mine in the community who are continuing to meet their own business challenges. It is still hard, even today, to maintain the balancing act. Most women, even though qualified to rise in business, don’t because they can’t organize their lives to support that rise.”

(318) 688-1973 | www.drslab.com | 9445 Stevens Rd. | Shreveport, LA